FAQ: Memorial Service &

Celebration of Life

It's a service after disposition (burial, cremation or entombment) has taken place.  The cremated remains may or may not be present based upon various reasons of the family or at the requested of the person for whom the event is in honour of.  A memorial service may tend to be religious in nature and led by a clergy person.  When it is not based on religious rites is it often referred to as a celebration of life - often viewed as a more casual gathering/event.

It's based upon religious structure and would be led by a clergy person.  

A funeral service has a casket present while a memorial service may or may not have the person's cremated remains present or the person may have been buried in a casket prior to this memorial service or may be buried afterward but their casket is not present for the actual service.  A funeral isn't truly celebratory, where a celebration-of-life is all about celebration.  A memorial service could be said to be a gentle mix of the two; but in all honesty, each memorial service is unique.   Speak with your funeral professional for further insights.

There's really no way we can tell you which service would be the best in your situation.  In fact, we don't believe it's even part of our job to tell you; instead, our work is in showing you the spectrum of possibilities.  We can explain your options, make suggestions; all with the goal of empowering you to arrive at the best possible decision.

When you sit down with a funeral director to discuss service costs, you'll receive a copy of the charges that comprise this service option.  Call or email us to get a better idea of these charges

Some of the things you'll discuss with your funeral director involve purchases made from outside vendors, and you will be asked to pay for those items at the time of the arrangement conference.  One of the most common is the fee charged by a newspaper to print your loved one's obituary.  Another cash advance charge could be for clergy or musician's fees, floral arrangements, reception necessities, such as food/beverage or facility rental.  Your funeral director will provide you with a detailed invoice for all cash advance items.

Some of the things you'll discuss with your funeral director involve purchases made from outside vendors, and you will be asked to pay for those items at the time of the arrangement conference.  One of the most common is the fee charged by a newspaper to print your loved one's obituary.  Another cash advance charge could be for clergy or musician's fees, floral arrangements, reception necessities, such as food/beverage or facility rental. Your funeral director will provide you with a detailed invoice for all cash advance items.  Be prepared to pay these expenses along with a deposit at the time the arangements are completed.

A good rule of thumb is to expect to leave a deposit at the time the service contract is signed (at the time of the arrangement conference or soon afterwards).  Speak with your funeral director to learn more.

We've actually written a number of pages on memorial service planning, but the short answer would include the tasks of selecting the location, date and time of the service.  You'll be asked to identify the specific readings, musical selections, food or beverages, and/or the activities you'd like to feature, as well as the people you would like to participate in the service itself.  Memorial service planning is empowering.  After all, you've got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show the world how much your loved one meant to you.  We invite you to speak with one of our service planning professionals to learn more.

How much would you like to be involved? Certainly, your funeral director will need you to specify certain details: the where and when, for example.  Together you'll make important decisions about other specifics, but once those decisions are made, you can "step back" and let us handle everything or have as much input as you please.

You'll need to provide the documents/information required to complete your loved one's death registration and death notice.  You may also wish to bring in a collection of family photographs to be used in making a tribute video or in the decoration of the service location.  Other items may be needed at some point, depending on the arrangements made.  Your funeral director will provide you with an exact list of the things he or should would like you to bring along to the arrangement conference.

A celebrant is a person who has been trained to conduct formal ceremonies, such as weddings, funerals and conduct a celebration of life.  They are not clergy; instead they are experienced masters-of-ceremony and story-tellers.  A celebrant works closely with surviving family to create a ceremony which reflects the beliefs, cultural background, values and aspirations of your deceased loved one, and your family.  If you think you would be best served by a celebrant, please speak with your funeral director.

Commonly the funeral director who met with you during the arrangement conference will assume the responsibility of writing the death notice/obituary.  You will support them in doing so by providing them with the necessary details and names of those to be included.  If you, or another family member or friend, wish to write the death notice/obituary, we can help to guide you through the process.